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Courses & Pathways

certification

Digital Entertainment, Esports & Game Development

Certification Description

In Fall 2020, the GFA launched Georgia’s Digital Entertainment, Esports & Game Development workforce development program, offering students exposure, training, and placement in one of the fastest-growing industries in the state. In partnership with Skillshot Media and Axis Replay (the leading Esports entities in the state), this initiative became a GFA certification pathway with an introductory course, specialty craft courses, and internship/apprenticeship opportunities. The courses are offered at GFA’s hub at Skillshot Media.

Step One

6 Credits

Students will become oriented with the Digital Entertainment ecosystem and job families therein, including: Game Development, Game Publishing, Tournament & League Operation, Live Production, Event Management, Broadcast Distribution, On-Air Talent, Team Organization, Sponsorship, Marketing, Content Creation, and Social Media Management. Students will learn the basic terminology across these functions and skills related to networking and self-marketing used within the digital entertainment, Esports, and game development industries. A team project allows students to design and execute a live-streamed event incorporating lessons learned during the course.

Step Two

Choose One
6 Credits

This course is designed to equip students with entry-level skills and knowledge in digital entertainment and Esports events production, including tournament operation and administration, event management, talent management, live broadcast (aka “streaming”), on-air personality skills, social and community management, and post-production. With an emphasis on practical application, students have the opportunity to gain experience in the technical and production roles. Students will have access to industry-standard software and equipment to gain a working familiarity with these tools, taught in a professional live digital entertainment and Esports production facility.

or
6 Credits

This course focuses on the advanced study and practice of digital entertainment and Esports events production, including tournament operation and administration, event management, talent management, live broadcast (aka “streaming”), on-air personality skills, social and community management, and post-production. With an emphasis on practical application, students have the opportunity to gain experience in these roles. Students will have access to industry-standard software and equipment to gain a working familiarity with these tools, taught in a professional live digital entertainment and Esports production facility.

6 Credits

This course is designed to equip students with entry-level skills and knowledge of hosting and live-casting for Digital Entertainment and Esports. Students will develop techniques for on-camera and public speaking scenarios. Topics will include play-by-play casting, analyst desk hosting, breath and tone control, pickups and drops, and interviewing. Students will study the appropriate style and tone for various genres of Digital Entertainment and Esports casting as they create an industry-standard demo reel.

or
6 Credits

This course is designed to examine the process and techniques of professional hosting and live-casting for Digital Entertainment and Esports. Students will develop techniques for on-camera and public speaking scenarios by creating content specific to the industry. Topics will include play-by-play casting, analyst desk hosting, breath and tone control, pickups and drops, and interviewing. Additionally, students will explore the self-analysis process. Within the context of performance and broadcast theory, students will apply the appropriate style and tone for various genres of Digital Entertainment and Esports casting as they create an industry-standard demo reel.

Step Three

Choose One
6 Credits

GFA 2000: Film, Television & Digital Entertainment Internship provides students with experiential learning in professional working film/television or esports/game development environments, such as shooting sets, production offices, sceneshops, post-production, esports and/or game development facilities and ancillary businesses, under the personal advisement of industry experts. The course is offered in cooperation with IATSE 479 and major film and television production and digital entertainment companies like Disney, Netflix, HBO, Skillshot Media, Axis Replay and others.

or
6 Credits

GFA 4000: Film, Television & Digital Entertainment Apprenticeship provides students with career development through experiential learning in film/television or esports/game development environments, such as shooting sets, production offices, post-production, esports and/or game development facilities and ancillary businesses, under the advisement of industry experts. The course is offered in cooperation with IATSE 479 and companies like Disney, Netflix, HBO, Skillshot Media, Axis Replay and others. Apprentices will research career paths and develop a portfolio of work.

Choose one additional course from Step 2